Three Books on the Law of War
Quick Summary
Alberico Gentili, an Italian jurist, is recognized as a founder of international law. In 1598, he published De jure belli libri tres, or Three Books on the Law of War, which was the first comprehensive work on the subject. Gentili argued that international law should be based on the practices of civilized nations, incorporating moral considerations without being tied to specific religious doctrines. His work significantly influenced later jurists, including Hugo Grotius, who extensively drew upon Gentili's writings for his own seminal work, On the Law of War and Peace. The law of war, a branch of international law, aims to reduce suffering during conflict by protecting combatants and non-combatants alike.123
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